Surfers Paradise New Year’s Eve 2022 fireworks show labelled a ‘fizzer’ by crowd
The company responsible for the New Year’s Eve fireworks ‘fizzer’ at Surfers Paradise has explained what went wrong during its midnight show. Read the latest and vote in the poll.
Gold Coast
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The company responsible for the New Year’s Eve fireworks “fizzer” at Surfers Paradise has revealed a shell ““unexpectedly went off inside its tube”.
In a joint statement with City of Gold Coast, supplier Skylighter Fireworks said this led to the damage of several other fireworks on the barge during the midnight show.
“Safety is our number one priority and safety protocols were followed at all times by the experienced fireworks operators, who performed a controlled stop on display as required,” the statement said.
“No one was injured or in danger at any time.”
The remaining fireworks will be used to boost the display at Seafire on June 3.
“Skylighter had 12 fireworks displays across the coast on New Year’s Eve with no other incidents occurring,” the statement said.
“We apologise for the disappointment this incident may have caused.”
The explanation came after the city’s events team held a debrief meeting with the supplier on Tuesday after the midnight fireworks display in the city’s tourism hub was blasted by revellers.
Many complained the show ended abruptly after only a few minutes, with some describing it as the “worst” they had seen.
City to grill operator of NYE fireworks ‘fizzer’
The company responsible for the New Year’s Eve fireworks “fizzer” at Surfers Paradise is expected to face a grilling over what went wrong.
City of Gold Coast’s events team will hold a debrief meeting with supplier, Skylighter Fireworks, on Tuesday after the midnight fireworks display in the city’s tourism hub was blasted by revellers.
Many complained the show ended abruptly after only a few minutes, with some describing it as the “worst” they had seen.
“It seemed cut short. I even wondered if something went wrong behind the scenes,” Surfers resident Tej Mendoza said.
A council spokeswoman said it was unable to answer questions about whether a refund would be provided or if the show could be held again until after the meeting.
On Sunday, the spokeswoman said the fireworks supplier had advised the barge carrying the fireworks was placed 600m offshore due to weather conditions.
She said the supplier decided to stop the show after a “technical issue”.
Witnesses to the midnight show had reported seeing flashes of light from the barge.
The council spokeswoman said she was unable to answer the Bulletin’s questions about what occurred on the barge or the specific “technical” issue that ended the display.
“I can confirm that nobody was injured,” she said.
In a Bulletin poll of about 100 people, 80 per cent voted in favour of the fireworks display being held again, while about 20 per cent voted against.
Several social media users suggested a replacement show could be held on Australia Day.
“Just do it Aus Day,” one wrote.
“Surfers Paradise itself needs an overhaul, do-over,” another said.
“Yes definitely, then everyone can whine about how they are wasting their money,” one woman said.
Another social media user questioned why a do-over was needed.
“What’s that going to prove? Nothing at all,” they wrote.
“The 8pm (fireworks) were very poor as well and there were thousands (that) turned out to watch them.
“So disappointing, everything could be done so much better in Surfers Paradise.
“More thought should go into preparation for events.”
Skylighter Fireworks was contacted for comment, but a spokesman said it was unable to comment due to contractual reasons.
A day prior to the show, the company’s manager Nick Kozij said the midnight display would have an international theme.
It was to include K-pop, J-pop, South American and European music in a nod to our thriving tourism industry.
The 8pm show at Surfers followed a theme of reflection and featured tributes to the late Olivia Newton-John and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Gold Coast NYE fireworks fail - what went wrong
Anticpiation turned to disappointment after bad weather and equipment failure turned a much-hyped fireworks display into a short-lived fizzer.
The midnight New Year’s Eve fireworks show at Surfers Paradise was blasted by revellers after it ended abruptly after only a few minutes, with some describing it as the “worst” display they had seen.
Resident Emily Hamblin said the show left people feeling confused.
“There weren’t that many fireworks,” Ms Hamblin said.
“No one counted down in the crowd - it just hit midnight.
“We didn’t know it was New Year’s Day until we checked our phones because no one counted down.
“I think they shot one firework off before midnight by accident.”
A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said a countdown to the midnight show did go ahead.
“The city has contacted the fireworks supplier and they have advised that as a result of the weather conditions, the barge was placed 600m offshore,” she said.
“At a point in the show there was a technical issue, and the decision was made by the supplier to stop the show.”
Surfers resident Tej Mendoza said the show appeared to “fizzle out”.
“It seemed cut short. I even wondered if something went wrong behind the scenes,” he said.
Resident Matt Watrach said while he “totally enjoyed” the 8pm display, the midnight one was “short lived”.
“It was a fizzer. To me, it seemed a bit of a let down. But considering it was a free event I shouldn’t complain,” he said.
“The atmosphere in Surfers was fantastic.”
Mr Watrach questioned what was being done with the remaining fireworks paid for by ratepayers.
“If there was a technical issue, why don’t they make up for it?” he said.
“What are they going to do with these fireworks they haven’t used, unless they got damaged?”
The Bulletin put this to council, but was told it was a question for the pyrotechnics company, Skylighter Fireworks.
The company was contacted for comment, but a spokesman said it was unable to comment due to contractual reasons.
A day prior to the show, Skylighter Fireworks manager Nick Kozij told the Bulletin the midnight display would have an international theme.
It was to include K-pop, J-pop, South American and European music in a nod to our thriving tourism industry.
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Originally published as Surfers Paradise New Year’s Eve 2022 fireworks show labelled a ‘fizzer’ by crowd
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